An obstacle detection device includes: a hyperboloidal mirror contained near a tip of a pole mounted at the corner of a vehicle; an image pickup unit for picking up an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror; a signal processing circuit that performs an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a display unit that is mounted in the vehicle compartment of the vehicle and displays the image signal processed by the signal processing circuit.
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1. An obstacle detection device comprising:
a hyperboloidal mirror which is contained near a tip of a pole mounted at a corner of a vehicle;
an image pickup unit which picks up an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror;
a signal processing unit that performs an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image picked up by the image pickup unit; and
a display unit that is mounted in a vehicle compartment of the vehicle and displays an image signal processed by the signal processing unit.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an obstacle detection device and, in particular, to an obstacle detection device capable of checking an obstacle in the blind corner of a vehicle with a simple device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional blind corner check devices include one that utilizes a method of picking up an image by capturing a landscape in an image sensor through a lens and uses two image sensors in order to widen a field of view and has a pole mounted at the corner of a vehicle body, whose shape is like a trunk antenna of the so called automobile mobile telephone (for example, see patent document 1).
Moreover, conventional vehicle mounted left-right check devices include one that utilizes a method of picking up an image by capturing a landscape in an image sensor through a lens and is made capable of checking obstacles in both left and right directions in forward of a vehicle by a pair of devices which has a lens focusing on an image pickup unit arranged in the whole portion of a pole (for example, see patent document 2).
Since the conventional blind corner check devices are composed in the above described manner, they present the following problems: an image needs to be picked up by capturing a landscape in an image sensor through a lens and a set of image pickup system can pick up only as narrow a region as 180 degrees or less, so two image sensors need to be used so as to widen the field of view, which results in increasing cost; and in addition, the pole mounted at the corner of vehicle body needs to be shaped like the trunk antenna and hence is undesirable in terms of styling and cannot be retractable when unnecessary.
Moreover, since the conventional vehicle mounted left-right check devices are composed in the above described manner, they present the following problems: a set of image pickup system can pick up only as narrow a region as 180 degrees or less, as is the case with the above blind corner check device, and obstacles in a left and right directions in forward of the vehicle need to be checked by a pair of devices, which results in increasing cost and works of mounting and wiring; both sides of the vehicle body cannot be checked; and the lens focusing on the image pickup unit needs to be arranged in the whole portion of the pole, which results in making it difficult to realize a multi steps electrical retractable pole.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. The object of the present invention is to provide an obstacle detection device that can widen the field of view by and is excellent in terms of styling and can have its pole easily retracted when unnecessary and in addition can respond to an electrically retractable pole with an inexpensive and simple structure.
An obstacle detection device in accordance with the present invention includes: a hyperboloidal mirror contained near a tip of a pole mounted at the corner of a vehicle; an image pickup unit for picking up an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror; a signal processing circuit that performs an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a display unit that is mounted in the vehicle compartment of the vehicle and displays the image signal processed by the signal processing circuit.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to check obstacles in the blind corner of the vehicle with reliability by a simple and inexpensive structure and hence to produce an effect of contribution to safe driving.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
In
The hyperboloidal mirror 3 is mounted, for example, near a tip of the pole 2 and the lenses 8a, 8b are arranged at a predetermined interval between the hyperboloidal mirror 3 and the image pickup unit 4 in the pole. These lenses 8a, 8b are provided so as to prevent the image transmitted from the hyperboloidal mirror 3 to the image pickup unit 4 from suffering an effect of the length of the pole 2. Although two lenses are provided in this example, only one lens may be applicable depending on a length of the pole 2.
The image pickup unit 4 is connected to a signal processing circuit 5 which includes image signal processing unit (not shown) conventionally used and the output side of this signal processing circuit 5 is connected through a signal line 6 to a display unit 7 (
Next, operation the device will be described with reference to
First, at step ST1 in
Next, at step ST2, an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image signal of the image picked up by the image pickup unit 4 is performed by image signal processing unit in the signal processing circuit 5. At step ST3, the image signal subjected to the image signal processing is supplied to the display unit 7 in the vehicle compartment through the signal line 6 to be displayed.
At this time, an image shown in
As described above, according to this embodiment 1, there can be produced an effect of picking up and displaying the images of obstacles in the region where a driver cannot directly visually identify the obstacles at the time when the driver enters into an intersection or the like. Further, by only one obstacle detection device, the driver can identify the obstacles in two directions (front side and left side, or front side and right side, it depends on which side the steering wheel is arranged at), which produces an effect of substantially reducing the blind corner of the driver. Still further, since the pole is mounted at such a front corner of the vehicle that is opposed to steering wheel of the vehicle, the hyperboloidal mirror built in the pole allows the driver to check a presence or absence of obstacles on the front side and the left side (or the right side) of the vehicle and is conducive to safe driving at the time when the vehicle enters into an intersection with many blind corners and it turns to the left (or turns to the right). In addition to this, the pole mounted at the corner of vehicle body is not shaped like a conventional trunk antenna, so the pole can produce an effect of providing preferable appearance in terms of styling.
In
Further,
In
As described above, according to this embodiment 2, there are produced an effect of simplifying the structure of optical part disposed between the hyperboloidal mirror and the image pickup unit and an effect of picking up and displaying the images of obstacles in the region where the driver cannot directly visually identify the obstacles. Further, since the image pickup unit is stored in the pole and, in particular, it is arranged near the hyperboloidal mirror, there is produced an effect of reducing the size and installation area of the obstacle detection device. Still further, since the pole can be expanded or shortened, there are produced an effect of easily containing the pole when unnecessary and an effect of easily responding also to the multi step type electrically retractable pole.
In this embodiment, a light source 14 using an LED, for example, is arranged around the image pickup unit 4 to apply light rays 15 toward the hyperboloidal mirror 3 disposed near a tip of the pole 2. At this time, there is provided a shielding plate 16 so as to prevent the light of light source 14 from directly entering the image pickup unit 4. By this structure, a portion near tip of the pole 2 directly shines or indirectly shine because the hyperboloidal mirror 3 reflects light.
Hence, a function of driving support device which is usually called a neon control or the like (in which a small light is disposed on a front corner of the vehicle opposed to a steering wheel side to facilitate checking a distance between the light at a corner of the vehicle and a wall surface or the like at the time of parking the vehicle into a garage or the like) can be added to the obstacle detection device. Moreover, by increasing the amount of light of the light source 14 or by employing an infrared light source, images can be picked up even in the nighttime. In this respect, in order to pick up images in the nighttime, it is preferable to employ the so called highly sensitive image pickup unit and when head lights are lit on, brightness on the front side is extremely different from brightness on the left and right sides, which presents not so much problem.
As described above, according to this embodiment 3, the light source is arranged around the image pickup unit to irradiate the hyperboloidal mirror with light, so that the intrinsic function of neon control can be added to the pole. That is, there are produced an effect of adding the function of driving support device and an effect of picking up images in the nighttime.
In
Next, operation will be described with reference to
At step ST1, an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror 3 is picked up by the image pickup unit 4, and at step ST2, the image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image signal of the image picked up by the image pickup unit 4 is performed by the image signal processing unit 5A-1 in the signal processing circuit 5A, and at step ST3, the image signal subjected to this image signal processing is supplied to the display unit 7 in the vehicle compartment through the signal line 6, as in the case of
Next, at step ST4 it is determined by the moving substance determination unit 5A-2 whether or not the image subjected to the image signal processing by the image signal processing unit 5A-1 and displayed on the display unit 7, includes a moving substance. In this case, for understandable explanation, it is supposed that the vehicle 1 stops, for example, at a road shaped like a letter T. In the image subjected to the image signal processing by the image signal processing unit 5A-1 and displayed on the display unit 7, for example, as shown in
In
At step ST5, in order to facilitate easy recognizing the moving substances 17, a processing of highlighting the moving substances 17 is performed by the moving substance highlight signal processing unit 5A-3. At step ST6, the image which is subjected to the processing of highlighting, as shown in
In
As described above, according to this embodiment 4, the moving substances are detected and highlighted by the image processing in a state in which (or in a period during which) the vehicle stops, so there is produced an effect of allowing the detailed checking of the obstacles moving near to or away from the vehicle.
In
Next, operation will be described with reference to
At step ST1, an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror 3 is picked up by the image pickup unit 4, and at step ST2, the image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image signal of the image picked up by the image pickup unit 4 is performed by the image signal processing unit 5B-1 in the signal processing circuit 5B, as in the case of
Next, at step ST7, a portion of the image which is picked up by the image pickup unit 4 and is subjected to the image signal processing by the image signal processing unit 5B-1 is magnified and displayed by the magnification display unit 5B-2, as shown in
Next, at step ST8, the magnified and displayed portion is moved when it necessary. The moving of the magnified and displayed portion is equivalent to the substantial moving of the display unit 7 in
In this respect, for example, if half in the vertical direction and half in the lateral direction of the image stored in a memory are displayed on the display unit 7 as the above described method of magnifying and displaying the image, the image can be displayed by two times with respect to its original size.
Further, if addresses of memory of the image to be displayed is changed, the position of the image to be magnified and displayed can be changed.
As described above, according to this embodiment 5, by magnifying and displaying a portion of the image, it is possible to check the obstacle in detail, in particular, the obstacle which is not clearly visible but is vaguely visible. Further, by moving the portion to be displayed, the driver can select the portion to be magnified according to his own selection to check the portion in detail. Still further, by displaying the direction of display at the time of magnifying and displaying the portion, there is produced an effect of preventing the driver from recognizing the obstacle by mistake.
In
Next, operation will be described with reference to
At step ST1, an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror 3 is picked up by the image pickup unit 4 and at step ST2, an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image signal of the image picked up by the image pickup unit 4 is performed by the image signal processing unit 5C-1 in the signal processing circuit 5C, as in the case of
At step ST10, when a shift lever of the vehicle 1 is set in a “Rear Mode” for back gear, an image in the rear of the vehicle 1 picked up by the vehicle rear monitor camera 20 is superposed on the image in the front of the vehicle 1 picked up by the hyperboloidal mirror 3 in the pole 2 by the rear image signal superimposing unit 5C-2.
Next, at step ST11, as shown in
By this arrangement, both of the images in the front of and in the rear of the vehicle 1 are displayed on the upper side and lower side of one display unit 7 at the same time, so the driver can check safety in the front of and in the rear of the vehicle 1 at the same time.
In this respect, in the above description has been described a case where both of the images in the front of and in the rear of the vehicle 1 are displayed at the same time. However, when images on the left side, in the front of and in the rear of the vehicle 1 are displayed at the same time, the driver can perform a parallel parking of the vehicle 1 with more safety and reliability (in a case for parallel parking of right hand steering wheel, left side driving, and parking at left side end).
As described above, according to this embodiment 6, displaying of both of the images in the front of and in the rear of the vehicle on one display screen at the same time can provide an effect of performing safety check in the front of and in the rear of the vehicle at the same time, and further, displaying of the images on the left side and in the front of and in the rear of the vehicle at the same time can produce an effect of safe driving with more safety and reliability for parallel parking.
In
Next, operation will be described with reference to
At step ST1, an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror 3 is picked up by the image pickup unit 4 and at step ST2, an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image signal of the image picked up by the image pickup unit 4 is performed by the image signal processing unit 5D-1 in the signal processing circuit 5D, as in the case of
Next, at step ST12, white lines 23a to 23c provided on both sides of a median separation line 22 on the road are detected by the white line detection unit 5D-2 from the image signal subjected to the image signal processing by the image signal processing unit 5D-1, and in a case where the white lines 23a to 23c are not detected, the program waits until they are detected and when they are detected, the program proceeds to step ST13. At step ST13, the measurement of lane distance is made. Then it is determined whether or not the distances between the white lines 23a to 23c and the vehicle 1 is smaller than the predetermined values of criteria for determination. If the distances between the white lines 23a to 23c and the vehicle 1 are larger than the predetermined values, the program returns to step ST12 where the above operation is repeated, and if the distances between the white lines 23a to 23c and the vehicle 1 are smaller than the predetermined values, a deviation-from-lane alarm is displayed at step ST14.
At the time of the state shown in 24a-1 of
Hence, because the time length T2 is monitored continuously and when the distance smaller than the predetermined value continues for n seconds, it is possible to display a deviation-from-lane alarm.
In this respect, it is also applicable to define conditions for displaying the deviation-from-lane alarm as follows: the distance becomes smaller than the predetermined value m times or more within a predetermined period of time.
As described above, according to this embodiment 7, it is possible to produce an effect of adding a deviation-from-lane alarm function of by a simple sensor and hence to contribute to safe driving.
In this respect, in the above embodiment 7, the deviation-from-lane alarm is displayed when the distance smaller than the predetermined value continues for n seconds. However, the conditions, that is, criteria for determination for displaying the deviation-from-lane alarm may be changed in response to a running speed of the vehicle 1. For example, when the vehicle 1 runs at high speeds, the “n seconds” are decreased, and when the vehicle 1 runs at low speeds, the “In seconds” are increased.
As described above, according to this embodiment 8, by changing the criteria for determination for displaying the alarm in response to the running speed, it is possible to produce an effect of allowing the driver to respond to the actual conditions of the vehicle 1.
In addition, in the above embodiments 1 to 8, the pole for containing the hyperboloidal mirror 3 may be utilized also as a vehicle mounted antenna. For example, if the pole 2 is made of metal and an antenna cable is connected to the metal portion of the pole 2 and is pulled into the vehicle compartment of the vehicle 1, the pole 2 can be utilized as an antenna of a radio device mounted in the vehicle compartment.
As described above, according to this embodiment 9, by utilizing the pole for containing the hyperboloidal mirror as the vehicle mounted antenna, the pole substantially has a plurality of functions, so there is provided an effect of realizing space saving and cost reduction for each function.
In
This embodiment is intended for further reducing a size of the pole 2 which contains the hyperboloidal mirror and the image pickup unit and the like. When the hyperboloidal mirror is reduced in size, if the hyperboloidal mirror is reduced in size in a state where the hyperboloidal mirror 3 covering the wide region as described above keeps its shape, the hyperboloidal mirror causes an image having relatively large distortion, which in turn increases load placed on the image signal processing unit included in the signal processing circuit for processing the image into an easily visible image. However, as shown in
Further, as shown in
As described above, according to this embodiment 10, by enlarging the radius of curvature of the hyperboloidal mirror to reduce the distortion of images, there are produced effects of reducing the size of hyperboloidal mirror and reducing load placed on the image signal processing unit. Further, since the radius of curvature of the hyperboloidal mirror is large, the field of view is narrowed, but by changing the direction of the hyperboloidal mirror by the motor, there is produced an effect of visually recognizing obstacles in a desired direction.
In the above described embodiments, the description has been given that the whole signal processing circuit 5 is contained in the pole 2. However, in a case where the whole signal processing circuit 5 can not be contained in the pole 2, it is recommended to make the following appropriate provisions:
Miyazaki, Hideto, Kitano, Toyoaki
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